The vast majority of spectators went back with the feeling that a day out at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup hockey in the Maj. Dhyan Chand National Stadium offered a great value for money experience – not just because India defeated Pakistan 4-1 in an intense contest or England upset Australia but also because they enjoyed the whole gamut of spectating.
The spectators went back with memories of a beautiful experience
As soon as he heard from his friends that tickets were available for the evening’s hockey games, Dr. Anil Bhat convinced his wife Dr. Sujatha Bhat and their daughter Aakanksha to give up the idea of watching a movie in favour of turning up at the National Stadium to watch the big contest. Fortunately for him, he did not have to deal with any hesitation.
I got to speak with Dr. Anil Bhat at breakfast on Holi and was pleasantly surprised to hear that the security did not stifle the spectators’ enthusiasm. “On the contrary, the levels of security were the same as I would expect at international airports – X-ray machines, metal detectors and frisking – and nothing that can be termed excessive,” he said. “We spotted Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and actor Gul Panag in the same stand as us. And I am sure they came through the same process as all of us and had no complaints.”
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